Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria, the luxurious five-star hotel in Sorrento, stands on the volcanic rock that covers the ancient villa of Emperor Augustus and today enjoys a privileged position, with private access to the Port of Sorrento and the sea. For five generations, this magnificent residence has belonged to the Fiorentino family.
Its story began in 1834, when Villa Vittoria was built. It was later joined by the eccentric Villa Favorita, completed around 1875 in the style of a Swiss chalet, and then by Villa Rivale in 1882. These three buildings, each with its own distinct architectural inspiration yet united by a shared destiny, now form the hotel complex as it appears today, surrounded by the lush vegetation of a unique two-hectare Mediterranean park. Overlooking the magnificent Gulf of Naples, the terraces of Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria offer breathtaking views that remain forever etched in the memory of every traveler. Since the 17th century, this enchanting place has been a celebrated destination of the Grand Tour, welcoming aristocrats, artists, writers, and philosophers in search of beauty and inspiration. Throughout the years, the hotel has hosted an extraordinary array of distinguished guests. The register reads like a journey through history, with names such as Otto von Bismarck, Ludwig I of Bavaria, the Prince of Wales—who first stayed here in 1874 and returned in 1910 as King of England—Empress Elisabeth of Austria (Sissi), Grand Duchess Catherine of Russia, Queen Victoria of Sweden, and Princess Margaret of England, to whom one of our most exclusive accommodations is dedicated: the One-of-a-Kind Princess Margaret Suite. The hotel has also welcomed many stars of the silver screen, including Sophia Loren, Jack Lemmon, Brian De Palma, and Pierce Brosnan. Among the great names from the world of music, we proudly remember Richard Wagner, Richard Strauss, Enrico Caruso, Luciano Pavarotti, Uto Ughi, Andrea Bocelli, Lucio Dalla, and Barbra Streisand. Every room at Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria reflects the style, elegance, and atmosphere of a bygone era. Near the entrance hall lies the charming Winter Garden, enriched by refined Art Deco woodwork and ornamental plants. In the intimate and luminous Reading Room, beautifully decorated with frescoes, guests can browse the book of dedications left by those who have stayed here and add their own memory to its pages. In the majestic Vittoria Hall, whose ceiling is adorned with original late-19th-century frescoes, guests can begin the day with an unforgettable breakfast accompanied by the sound of the piano. The elegant Music Room is embellished with fine friezes and stucco work, and furnished with exquisite pieces in the Smith style, crafted by local artisans. The hotel’s enchanting outdoor spaces are enriched with decorative marble elements dating back to Roman times. In the pool area, the remains of a natatio were discovered in 2004 during renovation works. According to archaeologists, this Roman pool once formed part of the villa of Emperor Augustus, on whose site the hotel was later built. A section of the natatio, in opus reticulatum, is still visible today. In the spring of 1921, the legendary tenor Enrico Caruso spent an extended stay with us in what is now the One-of-a-Kind Suite 448, which today bears his name. The room has been carefully preserved in the same style it had during Caruso’s stay. Among the treasured mementos of his time here are his piano, writing desk, as well as several letters and photographs. The deep bond between Caruso and Sorrento also inspired other musicians, including Lucio Dalla. Enchanted by the atmosphere of the hotel, the celebrated Italian artist composed his unforgettable song Caruso during one of his stays here, in the Caruso Suite. The One-of-a-Kind Suite 548 is dedicated to him. Our suites are distinguished by the beauty and uniqueness of their interiors. The most exclusive among them, the One-of-a-Kind Suites, are dedicated to illustrious guests who stayed here or are remembered for having served as settings for film productions. Jack Lemmon was our guest in 1972 during the filming of Avanti!, while Sophia Loren stayed here in 1984 during the filming of Qualcosa di biondo, to name just a few.